How Superfund chemical mixtures damage developing nerve cells' mitochondria
Project 3: Mitochondrial and cellular mechanisms of neurotoxicity of Superfund chemical co-exposures
This project looks at whether early-life exposure to mixtures of Superfund-site chemicals harms developing nerve cells by damaging mitochondria, using tiny worms and human nerve stem cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126697 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work starts with a lab model worm (C. elegans) to see how developmental exposure to mitochondrial-toxic chemicals changes neuron shape, wiring, and behavior. The team will then test key findings in human neuronal stem cells to look for similar effects and for sex-specific or epigenetic changes. The goal is to separate permanent wiring changes in the brain from long-term functional changes in otherwise normal-looking cells. Most experiments are done in the lab, comparing chemical mixtures relevant to contaminated Superfund sites.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with known or suspected early-life exposure to Superfund-site contaminants (for example residents near contaminated sites) or those willing to donate biological samples for research would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People without any history of exposure to relevant environmental contaminants or those seeking immediate treatment for an existing neurological disease are unlikely to get direct benefit from this lab-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could clarify how early chemical exposures cause lasting brain changes and help guide prevention, screening, or safer exposure limits.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies using C. elegans and human neural cells have revealed neurotoxic pathways from single chemicals, but combining worm models with human neuronal stem cells to study mixture effects and epigenetic programming is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meyer, Joel Newman — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Meyer, Joel Newman
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.